Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Former Victorian IGNACIO (1) is having his first start for the new stable but showed more than enough down south to suggest he can be competitive in a race like this. Has placed two from three when fresh and should give this a mighty shake. CHOCMINT (5) wasn't too far off them over this track and trip when resuming and is sure to have come on with that run now under the belt. Looms as the main danger. LOVES AFFECTION (9) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but go on the run two back where she went down by the narrowest of margins. Worth another chance. COPPABELLA ROAD (3) strips fitter second-up from the spell and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. In the mix. FEARGACH (2) best of the rest from the favourable draw.
RACE 2 - It's hard to fault the form of DANCE FOR ME RANDY (1) who has only missed a drum once in nine career outings. Has placed two from two when fresh and a strong first-up showing would not surprise. THE HOME TEAM (3) is having his first run for the new stable but has been right there in all three runs this preparation and draws the inside marble. Has to be included. FRASER'S RIDGE (2) doesn't know how to run a bad race and is a must for the multiples. ISLA GIRL (6) broke the maiden status at the latest effort and is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Can go back-to-back. UNDER THE SHADOW (5) rounds out the selections.
RACE 3 - TURBEAU (2) bounced back to winning form at Townsville last time out when well in the market and where there's smoke there's fire. Good chance to go back-to-back in this contest. GULF OF LION (1) has two wins and a placing from five attempts at this distance range and will be at peak fitness for this. Poses a significant threat. REDWOOD SHADOW (6) was too bad to be true at the latest outing and should get a soft run from gate two. Worth another chance. INVESTOR (5) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five at his past five starts. One for the exotics players. VALLEY OF DREAMS (7) next in line.
RACE 4 - CINQUE TERRE (2) is a last-start Townsville winner who draws the inside alley and gets 1.5kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks plenty of boxes for a race like this. ALWAYS WRITTEN OFF (1) has won over this track and trip and will be rock-hard fit. Rates a genuine top-three contender on best form. BARMERA (3) placed over this course and distance last time out and is usually thereabouts. In the mix. MIRROR ILLUSION (8) goes well for Morrison who has a win and six placings from just nine steers. Expect a bold showing.
RACE 5 - CANDLELIT (3) has hit a purple patch of form of late with a win and three placings from his past four starts and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed four of six over this distance range and draws to get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Rates the testing material. Former Victorian JOHN JOSEPH (2) hasn't been too far off them in both local outings and should be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Capable of sharp improvement. BURNS TO EMBRACE (1) is usually thereabouts and is a genuine top-three commodity if he brings his best. LIDDER VALLEY (5) saves his A-game for this six furlong journey and can fill the frame with any luck in running. BLOOMIN' RIPPER (9) goes well for Leslight who has three wins and two placings from just six rides. Cannot be discounted.
RACE 6 - KING'S HALO (9) resumes here but the form he showed prior to the spell was good enough to play a major role in the outcome of this race. Gets Thomas on from the favourable draw and should be going very close. MIDAS STAR (6) got the chocolates over this track and trip at the latest effort and will take a bunch of confidence from that well-deserved victory. Draws the inside alley and cannot be discounted. POMADE (3) has placed three of his past four starts including a close-up second over this course and distance last time out. Top-three credentials. The well-related MUTAFIQ (8) (half to 2xG3 winner Enthaar) is first-up but won three of his past four before the break and can feature if forward enough. RIGEL STAR (2) best of the rest in a race with plenty of chances.
RACE 7 - THE WALLET (7) hails from a very handy family (half to 2xG1 winner Pippie) and has been racing very consistently of late hitting the top-five in all five runs this campaign. Only needs some luck from the sticky draw to be playing a prominent role in the finish. WAVE THE WAND (8) was a touch disappointing last time out but the two wins prior were full of merit. Can bounce right back to form here. THREEBROTHERS (2) broke the maiden status here at the latest effort and winning hoop Thomas sticks in the irons. Draws the inside marble and has to come into calculations. ELLIE'S DREAM (4) gets some weight relief with the claim and may run a race while fresh. OUT OF SIGHT (6) rounds out the selections.
RACE 8 - Open race to close out the card. DELANCY (1) saves his best form for this distance range with a win and three placings from just four attempts and Thomas sticks following that last-start runner-up finish over this track and trip. Can go one better. IRRESISTIBLE FORCE (5) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Can trouble the judge again. SUPER ART (12) has placed in both runs since joining the new stable and looks to be nearing another victory. Solid top-three contender. EUROMANTIC (7) gets in well at the weights with the claim and has to come into consideration fourth-up.
